Thiruvananthapuram: The food safety department has launched a special drive ‘Operation Panela’ to find the source of adulteration of jaggery in the state after it found high level of harmful colouring agents in jaggery.
The decision to intensify the drive was taken after noticing the presence of harmful synthetic colours like tartrazine, rhodamine b and brilliant blue in jaggery. The department has collected 76 samples for testing and analysis.
Food safety joint commissioner (enforcement) A K Mini said Operation Panela was launched after the department noticed presence of harmful colours in 12 samples collected from Kozhikode and Ernakulam.
“Since jaggery is being sourced and distributed by small scale traders and by various cooperative societies, it is difficult to identify the source. The operation was launched to find the source and ban it immediately. The ban will be lifted only after taking corrective actions,” she said.
Of the total 76 samples, 72 are under statutory sampling, which will give power to food safety officials to initiate prosecution charges if synthetic colours are found.
Officials said the drive would continue and decision on further action will be taken after receiving test results. tnn
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